Chapter 541 - 548: On What Grounds?

But even as the people from the Central Domain prepared to leave, there had been no mention of what the Ancient Cold Sect would have to concede, and everyone was starting to get confused.

Someone asked, "Have you forgotten about the Ancient Cold Sect?"

"That’s right. The decision for the Ancient Cold Sect is the only one left."

All eyes fell on Luo Hantian in unison.

The Ancient Cold Sect had started this whole mess, so they would surely be singled out by the Central Domain. Being saved for last probably meant they were about to be taught a harsh lesson.

This thought brought a sense of relief to many of them.

They were all waiting to see the "desperate" look on Luo Hantian’s face.

"Ah, yes. There’s still the Ancient Cold Sect."

Hearing this, the Central Domain’s representative looked toward Luo Hantian, his eyes glinting as he sized him up.

’That "Great Demon" came from a sect like this?’

’This Sect really got absurdly lucky!’

Luo Hantian remained calm, meeting the gaze of the man from the Central Domain.

After a moment of silent contention, the man from the Central Domain was the first to smile.

"So you must be the Sect Master of the Ancient Cold Sect... Your esteemed Sect is truly skilled to have nurtured a talent like Song Wanning!"

"An elder from my Murong Family once invited Song Dao You to join us, but she declined. What a terrible shame!"

"If any disciples from the Ancient Cold Sect come to the Central Domain, they will be most welcome. We will even reserve slots in the Secret Realms for your esteemed Sect. We only hope that you, Sect Master, might put in a few good words for us with Song Dao You. We hope she’ll visit the Central Domain more often when she has time. We’re all friends here, after all!"

"Exactly! If it weren’t for Song Dao You’s help, we never would have been able to get rid of those parasites from the Huo Family!"

The representatives from the Central Domain began speaking over one another to sing Song Wanning’s praises. Their fawning expressions were a world apart from their earlier, overbearing demeanor.

The cultivators from the Southern Domain were all dumbfounded.

Luo Hantian also found it a little unsettling.

’I only thought the Central Domain wouldn’t dare to move against the Ancient Cold Sect. I never expected them to be... like this.’

’Especially seeing so many Combined Cultivators being so polite to me... this feeling is incredibly strange.’

’But it feels so damn good!!!’

The corners of Luo Hantian’s mouth curled up uncontrollably. He never imagined he’d have such a triumphant moment just by riding on Song Wanning’s coattails.

He felt like grinning from ear to ear.

"You’re all too kind. That girl, Wan Ning, has only been ascended for a little over a decade and still needs much more experience. I’m sure she’ll have to trouble you all in the future. I just hope you won’t find her too much of a bother."

He was gloating internally, basking in borrowed glory.

’But I can’t leave out the veiled threats.’

’I need to let these people know that Song Wanning has reached this level after ascending for only a decade or so.’

’Anyone who wants to mess with her had better think twice...’

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the expressions of the Central Domain cultivators shifted.

They truly couldn’t afford to provoke such a monster.

Instantly, the smiles on their faces became even more genuine.

The people of the Southern Domain, watching Luo Hantian chatting cheerfully with the group from the Central Domain, finally snapped out of their stupor. Still, they couldn’t hide the looks of astonishment and frustration on their faces.

They couldn’t understand it. Song Wanning had clearly caused this whole affair, so why were they the ones getting the short end of the stick?

By what right was the Ancient Cold Sect being given such special treatment?

A wave of resentment rose from the crowd, so palpable that even the Central Domain cultivators noticed it.

Finally, someone could no longer hold back and asked resentfully:

"Why does the Ancient Cold Sect get to go to the Central Domain without having to trade resources?"

"That’s right! We’re all from the Southern Domain. The Central Domain can’t show such blatant favoritism!"

It’s not the scarcity that bothers people, but the inequality.

Naturally, everyone felt resentful.

The moment those words were spoken, the smile vanished from Luo Hantian’s face. ’These people truly can’t stand to see anyone else succeed,’ he thought. ’They just want to drag the Ancient Cold Sect down into the mud with them!’

He didn’t say a word, but his expression was one of pure arrogance.

’Now it’s my turn to be arrogant. Others might want to, but they don’t have the right!’

The expressions on the faces of the Central Domain cultivators also soured.

The representative slowly lifted his gaze. "You want to know by what right?"

"By the right that the three patriarchs of the Huo Family all died at Song Wanning’s hands! She eliminated a scourge for our Central Domain, so our Central Domain will let her come and go as she pleases!"

"As Song Dao You’s Sect, it is perfectly normal for the Ancient Cold Sect to receive this treatment. If you are not satisfied, you may raise your objections. However, the Central Domain will not interfere with the consequences!"

The people from the Central Domain had no desire to offend Song Wanning. If these malcontents caused her to hold a grudge against the Central Domain, they would be the ones to suffer for it.

Song Wanning could kill Mahayana cultivators and break a seal that had existed for countless millennia. Even their own patriarchs didn’t dare to provoke her, so what chance did they have?

The crowd from the Southern Domain: "???"

"!!!!"

’Did we hear that right?’

’Song Wanning killed the patriarchs of the Central Domain’s Huo Family?’

’We must be going crazy!’

But the facts were laid bare before them. Even if it seemed as incomprehensible as a dream, they had no choice but to accept this new reality.

In an instant, the way everyone looked at Luo Hantian changed.

It was a mixture of envy and resentment.

No wonder Luo Hantian had seemed so calm and composed yesterday.

The man had kept his cards too close to his chest!

Finally, with the transactions settled, the contingent from the Central Domain departed, satisfied.

Before leaving, they extended several warm invitations to Luo Hantian, their courteous manner making everyone else burn with envy.

"Tsk, tsk, Master Luo, you really kept this under wraps. To think Song Dao You was so formidable, and you kept it all a secret! We were all worried the Central Domain would come down hard on the Ancient Cold Sect, but it turns out we were worried for nothing!"

"Hahaha, exactly! With a disciple like that, the Ancient Cold Sect’s future is boundless!"

Many people now crowded around him, offering words of praise.

The Ancient Cold Sect was no longer an existence they could afford to provoke!

Even the Central Domain was treating Luo Hantian with utmost courtesy. Who among them would dare to make any more snide remarks?

Even the few who had always targeted the Ancient Cold Sect now shamelessly approached Luo Hantian to apologize, hoping he would overlook their previous disrespect.

Luo Hantian was inwardly ecstatic, but he maintained an exceptionally modest facade.

’This is the best I’ve felt since becoming Sect Master!’

’In the Cultivation World, strength truly is all that matters.’

’Next, I need to get a handle on the disciples’ training. We can’t be a burden to Song Wanning.’

...

Song Wanning knew nothing of the resource exchange happening between the Five Domains.

She was already on her way to the Eastern Domain.

Years ago, Jiang Cen had been sent away to reflect on his crimes after plotting to harm a fellow disciple.

But his period of penance was over, and he had since gone to the Eastern Domain. Thus, she had no choice but to head there herself.

Fortunately, with the Three Lives Mirror in hand, she could track Jiang Cen’s location no matter where he went.

Along the way, she saw that many cultivators were excited. After all, with the Spiritual Energy becoming so much richer, their cultivation speed would increase dramatically.

And while they frequently mentioned the name "Song Wanning," they had no idea that she was right there among them. The Golden Small Sword, however, picked up all their words of praise and would often chatter them in her ear.

The little ones mimicked their worshipful tones perfectly, which Song Wanning found endlessly amusing.